Ethicsgate

Thursday, June 24, 2010

NY Times: Cuomo Accepts Millions From Interests He Assails

Cuomo Accepts Millions From Interests He AssailsThe New York Times by SERGE F. KOVALESKI and GRIFFIN PALMER - June 24, 2010

Attorney General Andrew M. Cuomo, declaring his candidacy for governor of New York, could not have been clearer. “The influence of lobbyists and their special interests must be drastically reduced with new contribution limits,” Mr. Cuomo said last month. “We will be taking on very powerful special interests which have much to lose. We must change systems and cultures long in the making.” But as he delivered his announcement, Mr. Cuomo was sitting on millions in campaign cash from the very special interests whose influence he said he wanted to limit. An analysis by The New York Times shows that of the estimated $7.1 million that the Cuomo campaign has received from political action committees, associations, limited liability corporations and other entities, more than half has come from the biggest players in Albany: organized labor, the real estate and related industries like construction, the health care sector and lobbying firms. In the spirit of reform, Mr. Cuomo pledged in 2007 not to accept donations over $10,000 from most categories of contributors during an election cycle. But he did not stick to that vow and has at times received amounts five times as great. The donations underscore the awkwardness of Mr. Cuomo’s effort to run against Albany and its insiders at the same time he is benefiting from their largess and, in some cases, his long relationships with them. He drew a similar proportion of his campaign money from special interests in his failed 2002 campaign for governor and his 2006 bid for attorney general. Mr. Cuomo, a Democrat, declined repeated requests to be interviewed for this article. But an adviser, Phil Singer, said the attorney general had consistently demonstrated his independence from special interests and others who contribute to his campaign. As of its last campaign filing, the Cuomo campaign had about $16 million. “Any donor who could possibly think they are buying anything other than good government is delusional and blind to all facts,” Mr. Singer wrote in an e-mail message. He cited a number of cases in which the attorney general’s office had taken action against those who had made political donations to Mr. Cuomo. The analysis by The Times shows that in the current election cycle, lobbying firms and companies that have registered to lobby on their own behalf have given Mr. Cuomo about $555,000 in donations. Organized labor, long regarded by Democrats and Republicans as perhaps the most powerful force in Albany lawmaking, has given him more than $1.4 million. Real estate and construction interests have donated more than $1.3 million, and the health care industry has contributed about $570,000.

As attorney general, Mr. Cuomo has undertaken several major initiatives that have coincided with interests of those donors. In 2007, Mr. Cuomo’s office opened an investigation into whether health insurers were systematically overcharging patients who used doctors and hospitals outside the insurers’ networks. The inquiry was related to an earlier federal lawsuit whose plaintiffs included the Medical Society of the State of New York, which represents physicians, medical residents and medical students; New York State United Teachers, a union; and the Civil Service Employees Association union, all of which have given generously to him through their political action committees. In 2009, he announced a settlement to shut down the payment system used by the industry and establish an independent database to replace it. Also in 2007, during New York City’s real estate boom, Mr. Cuomo, after receiving complaints from real estate officials, pushed for passage of a state bill to increase financing for his office to speed up the approval process for co-op and condominium conversions and ease a backlog. The measure was written into the state budget the next year with the blessing of the industry and other stakeholders and also allowed the office to better handle complaints against developers over construction flaws. But Mr. Singer pointed out that the attorney general had also aggressively pursued some of his contributors. His office reached an agreement in 2009 with WellPoint, the nation’s largest health insurer, to pay $10 million toward an overhaul of the health care reimbursement system. This year, Mr. Singer said, Mr. Cuomo’s office sued Bank of America and two of its former top officers, saying they had duped shareholders and the federal government to complete a merger with Merrill Lynch. This month, the office sued a developer, Yair Levy, saying he stole $7.4 million from a reserve fund of a troubled downtown luxury building. Mr. Singer also said the campaign required prospective donors to show that they had no matters pending before the attorney general’s office and had not had any in the previous 90 days.

The Times review did not examine donations from individuals, like health care executives or union leaders. But an analysis conducted by the New York Public Interest Research Group recently found that 20 percent of the money Mr. Cuomo’s current campaign committee received from individuals came from people working in real estate or as lobbyists. Representatives of several organizations that gave to Mr. Cuomo said it was natural that their agendas sometimes dovetailed with his. They said they believed that Mr. Cuomo was right on many of the most important issues affecting their clients or constituents. Stuart Appelbaum, president of the Retail, Wholesale and Department Store Union, pointed to a settlement that the attorney general’s office reached in July 2009 with the owners and former owners of two Brooklyn supermarkets. They were forced to pay $1.1 million for underpaying workers and violating other state labor laws.

“A lot of what Andrew has done as attorney general,” said Mr. Appelbaum, whose group gave Mr. Cuomo $27,000 through a political action committee, “has involved going after employers who have not paid legal wages or overtime or have mistreated employees in other ways.” George W. Reilly, business manager of Plumbers Local Union No. 1, which gave $29,500 through its political action committee, said Mr. Cuomo’s tenure as assistant secretary and then secretary at the Department of Housing and Urban Development had made him more knowledgeable about issues important to the union’s members. The political action committees that are among Mr. Cuomo’s largest labor contributors include the Sergeants Benevolent Association of the New York Police Department, which gave $54,000; the United Food and Commercial Workers International Union, which contributed more than $53,000; and Local 32BJ of the Service Employees International Union, which gave $45,500. Lobbyists, meanwhile, continue to contribute generously to Mr. Cuomo despite three campaigns in which he has criticized their influence. During his failed bid for governor in 2002, Mr. Cuomo called New York “the Wild West of lobbying” and proposed a ban on contributions by lobbyists to campaigns.

James D. Featherstonhaugh, a well-known lobbyist in Albany, said he had written Mr. Cuomo “a personal check for $10,000 a month or so ago.” Mr. Featherstonhaugh’s law firm has contributed $19,873 to the campaign. Political contributions by lobbyists can be the currency of access to a governor and an administration, but several lobbyists who were willing to discuss their giving to Mr. Cuomo said they had donated because of relationships spanning two decades or so. Mr. Featherstonhaugh, whose firm has represented the New York State Academy of Trial Lawyers, Goldman Sachs and the Metropolitan Life Insurance Company, does not take umbrage at Mr. Cuomo’s statements about lobbyists. “I hope what he is saying is not that we should get rid of lobbyists,” Mr. Featherstonhaugh said, “but that we should reform a system that people find offensive because in some instances lobbyists exert an unfair or disproportionate influence on how government works.” Kenneth L. Shapiro, managing partner of the Albany office of the law firm Wilson Elser Moskowitz Edelman & Dicker L.L.P., is also not put off by Mr. Cuomo’s remarks. “No one feels good about it, but we are big boys and big girls,” said Mr. Shapiro, who has known Mr. Cuomo since the early 1980s. “You take your shots.” “We contribute to him,” he added, “because in our business you have to believe in somebody, and at a perilous time like this in the state, we badly need someone who can lead us out of it.” A political action committee of Mr. Shapiro’s firm and the partnership itself — whose clients have included the Atlantic Yards Development Company, Consolidated Edison, the New York State Hospitality and Tourism Association and numerous hospitals — has contributed about $59,200 to the Cuomo campaign.

Mr. Cuomo has drawn a considerable amount of political money from the health care industry, including doctors’ groups. “He has a good track record making sure that insurers treat doctors and patients fairly,” said Moe Auster, an in-house lobbyist for the Medical Society of the State of New York, a nonprofit advocacy group with about 30,000 members. Its political arm has given $50,793 to Mr. Cuomo’s campaign, making it his second-largest health care donor. Medical groups also applauded a 2008 agreement that the attorney general reached with Excellus BlueCross BlueShield and CareCore National to streamline pre-approvals for tests ordered by doctors. Those specializing in cancer, for instance, no longer had to obtain approval for CAT scans, a test frequently used for cancer patients. Other big health care donors to the Cuomo campaign include Physicians’ Reciprocal Insurers, which has given $45,000, and the political action committee of the New York State Dental Association, which contributed $24,532. Little attention has been paid to Mr. Cuomo’s abandonment of his 2007 pledge to accept no donations of more than $10,000 per election cycle — about 18 percent of what state law allows — from individuals, unions, political action committees and trade associations.

The Times analysis shows that Mr. Cuomo’s campaign has accepted donations far beyond that limit many times. He took in $55,900 from the political arm of Local 6 of the Hotel Employees and Restaurant Employees International Union and $55,900 from the political action committee of the New York State Association of Realtors. Mr. Singer wrote in an e-mail message that in 2007, the governor at the time, Eliot Spitzer, had voluntarily limited his own campaign contributions, and that Mr. Cuomo had decided to do so in solidarity with him while a campaign finance bill was being promoted for passage. “After the bill failed and the governor resumed following the existing law, the Cuomo campaign did the same,” Mr. Singer said. Albany, of course, is known for turning promises on campaign finance into something far more complicated. During his campaign for governor, Mr. Spitzer talked vigorously about reforming the state’s campaign finance laws, and yet he exploited loopholes by accepting donations from limited liability corporations set up by individuals who could legally circumvent contribution caps. “New York’s campaign finance system is horribly broken,” Mr. Singer said, “a disservice to the public and a burden on the candidate who must raise money to compete.” “To be in public service today,” he also wrote, “one must either raise money as carefully and as diligently as possible or be a multimillionaire who can self-finance. Many people, including Andrew Cuomo, simply do not have the latter option.”

Cuomo is so desperate to become Governor that he would sell his girlfriend, mother, daughters and his left leg to follow in his dad's footsteps. Everyone has to vote. Vote for anyone but Cuomo. Except the horndog Elliot.

a remarkably odd and bizarre fact is that one of the lawsuits against hospitals mentioned in the article involved the us attorney from the eastern district as well and also involved over payments with MedicAid funds to the tune over over $500,000 from just one hospital in Columbia County where kickbacks and referrals were apparently in play along with a facility in kingston. somehow the local judge who also took visiting cases in kingston as well was never looked at despite a formal complaint to public integrity of the nys ag about a father who was told he would get his children out of Foster Care but yet the County Social Services agency has refused to turn his sons medical records paid by medicaid funds over for years. yet somehow the AG just bypassed all of this in the "investigation"?

Remember Andrew Cuomo protects Bernadette E. Lupinetti, Esq. who is involved in the rigging of child custody and divorce cases and using a United States Of America Court for the trafficking of minors for sexual performances in Orange COunty. This rat's husband is Patrick Lupinetti former ADA for Medicaid Fraud in Rockland County. Now he got himself a better and more lucrative position in California which I think has to do with the pricing of medication after been a ADA for "Medicaid fraud" in NEw York State until 2007 with Andrew Cuomo. Lets put one and one together and after that lets see how much money the Lupinetti's are paying, I mean donating to Cuomo directly or indirectly to continued been under his wing. And yes Bernadette E. Lupinetti also works with CPS to ensure her work is well protected. Is so disturbing that even the agency ICE in charge of child porn and trafficking of minors investigation refuses to investigated this pimp. I think we have a big problem when Cuomo who protects these predators instead of prosecuting them is running for Governor. I guess money and power are more important then Honesty, Respect, Duty and Humanity.

Did you go out to the streets and talk with all the Americans who are leaving New York?

Like you said, Paterson was an accident, when his partner got caught with his pants down, Cuomo, did everything in his evil power to make that seat available for himself, he wants it, but that doesn't mean he'll get it.

* Cuomo has been involved in the politics in Albany for 30 years.* He has done absolutely nothing to make life better for the working class Americans.* He's just another big disappointment to us New Yorkers.

Shouldn't voters be involved in this process?

Andrew Cuomo is not the solution, he's part of the problem.

Carl Paladino will make a good governor, he's not a politician.

Andrew Cuomo is a spoiled brat who wants, I want I want I want.

All Andrew Cuomo does is do and say anything to get what he wants.

New York State is in grave condition the evil power of (corrupt politics) destroyed us, we need someone who has the ability to destroy this evil empire that has been in power for 30 years.

We need someone who can take the bull with the horns by the balls, squeeze and twist, until he takes the bull down.

From Wikipedia, found at http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Andrew_Cuomo - Early life, education and career Andrew Cuomo was born in Queens, New York, the elder son of Mario Cuomo, the first Italian American to be elected Governor of New York and his Sephardic Jewish wife Matilda Raffa, daughter of Charlie Raffa (See Jewish Genealogy in Sicily at http://www.italian-family-history.com/jewish/_Sicilia.html). He is the older brother of ABC News journalist Chris Cuomo.

During the administration of former New York City Mayor David Dinkins, Cuomo served as Chairman of the New York City Homeless Commission, which was charged with developing policies to address the homeless issue in the city and to develop more housing options.

Cuomo, as HUD Secretary holding a press conference with then Treasury Secretary Larry SummersAndrew Cuomo was appointed to the Department of Housing and Urban Development as Assistant Secretary in 1993, as a member of President Bill Clinton's administration. After the departure of Secretary Henry Cisneros at the end of Clinton's first term under the cloud of an FBI investigation, Cuomo succeeded him as HUD Secretary in January 1997 after being unanimously confirmed by the Senate, serving until 2001 when Clinton's administration ended. In 1998, Cuomo's lauded work in the department garnered speculation that he could challenge Senator Al D'Amato but he ultimately declined, saying that he had more things to revamp in the Department. Instead, Congressman Charles Schumer won the Democratic nomination and ultimately defeated D'Amato. Cuomo was also mentioned as a candidate for U.S. Senator in 2000 but deferred to First Lady Hillary Rodham Clinton.

During Cuomo's tenure as HUD Secretary, he called for an increase in home ownership.[4] He also pushed government-sponsored lenders Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac to buy more home loans issued to poor homeowners, in an attempt to end discrimination against minorities.[5] Some believe that this helped lead to the current subprime mortgage crisis.[4][5][6] Edward J. Pinto, former chief credit officer at Fannie Mae, said "they should have known the risks were large. Cuomo was pushing mortgage bankers to make loans and basically saying you have to offer a loan to everybody."[4] But others disagree with the assesment that Cuomo caused the crisis. Dean Baker, co-director of the Center for Economic and Policy Research, said Cuomo "was a contributor in terms of him being a cheerleader, but I don't think we can pin too much blame on him."[4]

In other words, apparently this man Andrew Cuomo caused the entire financial crisis/great depression this country is facing now.

Join Senator Eric Adams Tonight !!

NYS Senator Adams Virtual Town Hall Tonight !

Re: U.S. Department of Justice

April 20, 2009: We expect to have the name of a specific contact person soon, to whom information may be presented to regarding any complaint and/or information filed with any FBI agent, squad or regional office that needs re-review, reconsideration or special attention. Meanwhile, the address is:U.S. Department of Justice, Office of Professional Responsibility, Room 3266, 950 Pennsylvania, N.W., Washington, D.C. 20530 --- Send us an email request and we will advise you directly once the contact information is made available.

April 20, 2009: WANTED!! - (1) Your ignored complaints to the Commission on Judicial Conduct; and (2) Your ignored or whitewashed complaints to any New York State Attorney Ethics Committee.SEND PDF FILES TO: CorruptCourts@gmail.com

Judge to Cancer Patient: No $$ for Treatment - See Thursday, June 14, 2007 Post

In Fairness to the Courts…

It is not easy being a judge, and disgraceful that the public usually only hears about the bad judges. And while this forum attempts to expose the reprehensible acts of corrupt courts, it is important to be fair to the many under-appreciated law-abiding judges and court employees. Judges are grossly under compensated, and must rely heavily on unnamed staff who sometimes carry their own biases and improper political agendas. So let's expose and eradicate the corruption, but we are socially obligated to consider: (1) how do we get our judges adequately compensated; and (2) what specific and constructive suggestions can be made and implemented to insure the integrity of our courts. Send, too, ideas to make the courts a better system for all of us!!

Our year-long investigation has confirmed that the purported judicial "ethics" enforcer, The New York State Commission on Judicial Conduct, is itself a biased, corrupt group that protects certain judges while destroying others who have become targets of the political thugs who control them. Something is terribly wrong when even our honest and law-abiding judges are failed by our justice system. The New York State system of justice is a corrupt process that has all but ruined the faith of the people in their government.

Milberg Weiss

Robert R. Reed

Position Available:Another NY Judge needed to be a Hero For Future Generations -- We need another elected New York Judge to come forward and speak out about the systemic corruption within and about the NY court system. Must be willing to assist in plans to restore integrity and the rule of law back to our treasured courts. Benefits: A good nights sleep, and an opportunity to become a hero for future generations. --- Salary: None --- Details: A few private meetings with friendly Federal Agents, and one big explosive press conference. For more details, contact: corruptcourts@gmail.com (Confidentiality Guaranteed- until the press conference, of course)

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Hope in the Fight Against Corruption in Our Courts Has Arrived. Her Name is Ann T. Pfau.